ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor Course

Participants develop a strong understanding of:

• Purpose and structure of ISO 9001:2026
• Quality Management System concepts
• Quality management principles
• Process approach
• PDCA methodology
• Risk-based thinking
• Customer focus and interested parties
• Context of the organization
• Leadership and quality culture

The course covers the requirements of the standard across the QMS framework, including:

• Context of the organization
• Leadership
• Planning
• Support
• Operation
• Performance evaluation
• Improvement

Participants learn to interpret requirements in relation to actual organizational processes rather than treating the standard as a documentation exercise. ISO states that these areas collectively address the establishment, maintenance and continual improvement of a QMS.

Participants learn how to apply fundamental auditing principles and develop a systematic approach to auditing.

Key areas include:

• Audit objectives and scope
• Audit criteria
• Audit evidence
• Audit methods
• Auditor responsibilities
• Audit team roles
• Confidentiality and professional conduct
• Evidence-based decision-making
• Risk-based auditing

Effective auditing begins before the audit starts. Participants learn how to:

• Review relevant QMS information
• Define audit objectives, scope and criteria
• Develop an audit plan
• Prepare audit checklists and working documents
• Allocate responsibilities within an audit team
• Identify areas requiring greater audit attention
• Prepare for communication with process owners

The training provides practical guidance on conducting an audit from beginning to end.

Participants learn:

• Opening meeting techniques
• Process-based auditing
• Effective questioning and interviewing
• Sampling and evidence collection
• Verification of objective evidence
• Following audit trails
• Evaluating process effectiveness
• Identifying conformity and nonconformity
• Conducting closing meetings

A competent auditor must be able to distinguish between evidence, observations and nonconformities.

Participants learn how to:

• Evaluate audit evidence against audit criteria
• Identify and document nonconformities
• Write clear and objective findings
• Establish the requirement, evidence and gap
• Communicate findings professionally
• Avoid unsupported conclusions
• Present audit results to relevant management

The course also covers activities after the audit, including:

• Preparing audit reports
• Communicating audit conclusions
• Reviewing corrective actions
• Verifying effectiveness of actions
• Conducting follow-up audits
• Closing audit findings
• Maintaining appropriate audit records